Principal
John Ciccarelli first started playing the guitar at high school at the age of 14, where he formed a band with 3 friends, called The Reasons Four. For 2 years, the band was in residency at Kurrajong Heights Hotel, playing every Saturday and Sunday, with the weeknights spent at The Railway Hotel in Liverpool.
During a stint in the Army in the 1970's, John started playing the trombone and honed his skill properly upon returning to civilian life, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Under the expert tuition of Geoff Bailey (a trombonist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra), John achieved the level of Grade 8 AMEB.
While at the Conservatorium, John joined the Conservatorium Big Band. This was an amazing time in Australian music, as many of the members of that Big Band would continue their very successful careers in the Australian music scene. Rodger Frampton, Paul Panichi, David Panichi, James Morrison, John Morrison and Alan Freeman were joined by esteemed Directors of the band, Don Burrows, Bill Motzing, and Professor Howie Smith.
After a 20 year hiatus from the music world, in 2000 John began teaching school children.
John is proficient in Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, (Alto & Tenor), Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Guitar, Drums, & Acoustic Guitar.
Clarinet, Drums, Flute, Guitar, Trumpet & Saxophone
Nicholas first started playing trumpet in the school band at 8 years of age. During his High School years he became interested in clarinet, saxophone and drums, studying drums under the guidance of Mitch Farmer. He continued gaining experience, playing drums in a Sydney cover band in local pubs and hotels and in later years, trumpet in a touring stage band. Following High School, Nicholas graduated from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) where he enjoyed writing background music for movies, commercials and film clips, something he continues to do today. His formal education was never neglected though, with Nicholas attaining Honours in 5th Grade AMEB clarinet and completing 8th Grade AMEB trumpet. Nicholas is currently working in schools, conducting school bands and tutoring students on flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, saxophone and drums.
Brass, Bass Guitar, Drums, Euphonium, Flute, Trombone & Trumpet
Michael has been playing music since he was ten years old, and has performed across Australia and Europe. While teaching and conducting across various Sydney schools for ten years, Michael has also recently completed his Bachelor of Music, majoring in performance.
Clarinet, Flute, Piano & Saxophone
Emma started piano lessons at the early age of four through the Suzuki method, before transferring to the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB). At school, while playing in ensembles and bands, Emma completed her Associate Diploma on saxophone and Grade 7 on piano. During a brief break from music, Emma studied and worked in childcare and has a particular interest in engaging children with music. Emma returned to studying music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she studied under the tutelage of Christina Leonard on saxophone. During this time, Emma was a member of various ensembles and quartets and was accepted to do an internship with Fine Music 102.5FM as well as Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA). Currently, Emma teaches in and around Sydney and its surrounding suburbs as well as performing regularly with the Corrective Services New South Wales band, in amateur musicals, and casually with the New South Wales Police Band.
Piano & Singing
Glenyss started learning piano at the age of 8 where she was surrounded by music, having many siblings learning piano, cello, violin and viola. Glenyss has studied under the tuition of Thea Ashe, Heather Boyd and Noelle Brinsden and commenced teaching when she was 17. In addition to teaching, Glenyss has been involved with the Northern Sydney Youth String Ensembles as an accompanist and has had the pleasure of being on stage in musical productions of the Blue Mountains Musical Society. Glenyss loves to nurture young musicians to enjoy their music making.
Flute
Elizabeth is a passionate flautist who developed a love of music from a young age. After being brought up in a music oriented environment, Elizabeth was eager to pick up an instrument. With over 8 years experience, she was initially taught by Ms Jane Nelson and Mr Damian Butler and is currently waiting for placement in either the Sydney Conservatorium or AIM (Australian Institute of Music) where she hopes to achieve a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. Elizabeth is planning on joining the Penrith Youth Orchestra to further her development as a musician and a particular ambition is to nurture young people in enjoying playing the flute.
Clarinet, Drums, Flute, Piano & Saxophone
Lucy is a Primary school music teacher who has been teaching for 34 years. She currently teaches in the Carlingford area, specialising in piano, saxophone (Alto and Tenor) and clarinet, but also plays a variety of other instruments. Lucy is a member of the Harmonix Concert Band and newly formed Harmonix Big Band. Lucy loves passing on her passion of music to young players.
Bass Guitar, Drums, Guitar & Ukulele
Will is a multi instrumentalist specialising in Guitar and Bass Guitar. He has been performing gigs since 2015 in a variety of different bands, performing covers and original music, all around the Greater Sydney Area. After completing a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting at JMC Academy, Will worked as a session musician at JMC and has been keeping busy teaching guitar in the local areas, as well as continuing to focus on original projects.
Piano
Lena is an experienced piano teacher and accompanist with a Bachelor of Music Education from the Conservatorium of Music, where she studied under the professional guidance of Elizabeth Powell, successfully completing her LmusA diploma from the AMEB and Grade 6 in musicianship. Lena also completed a Bachelor in Music Repetiteur at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the guidance of Simon Kenway. Lena has taught many private students piano and musicianship at all levels including AmusA. She previously taught at Forte School of Music and also at Meriden private Anglican Girls School. Lena has accompanied many students in preparation for HSC exams, AMEB exams and various auditions for schools and Universities. Lena is passionate about teaching piano and accompanying and is excited to share this passion with others.
Piano
Mitch is a seasoned educator, accompanist, and session pianist with over a decade of professional experience. He has studied classical piano since the age of 5 and has been involved in countless music ensembles including church choirs, chamber music groups, and school bands, where he consistently played the piano or the organ. Mitch dedicated his later stages of musicianship to improvised music. He has studied under the mentorship of prominent Australian pianists, including Monique Lysiak and Judy Bailey. During his time at the University of Southern California, he also studied under Russell Ferrante, an educator, composer, and pianist for the Yellowjackets. Mitch continues to sharpen his skills and musicality as part of his lifelong learning. Mitch’s versatility and musical appreciation transpire through his active involvement with schools and bands, with repertoires consisting of a wide variety of genres and as an accompanist, he regularly supports students with their HSC and AMEB examinations. Mitch performs in trios, quartets, and big bands around Sydney and he is currently the pianist for the Regent Street Big Band. Mitch believes in music as a universal language. Music has allowed him to form deeper connections with others and taught him about the appreciation of diverse paradigms and cultures. He wishes to share this experience with aspiring pianists, helping them learn the philosophical understanding, techniques, and fundamentals required to achieve artistic freedom.
Drums, Guitar, Piano & Singing
Lina is a versatile musician born and raised in Cali, Colombia, who found a profound connection with music at an early age. Inspired by diverse genres and cultural rhythms, her passion led Lina to pursue formal music education at Universidad del Valle in Colombia. Specialising in vocals, Lina skillfully intertwines her soulful voice with the melodies of various instruments. Lina is proficient in guitar, piano, and a range of other instruments and is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Clarinet, Piano & Saxophone
Jayden is fluent in both English and Mandarin and has grown up in a household filled with music. Having started playing piano at the age of 3 he's attended countless music competitions, mostly involving the piano. He's had first-hand experience with AMEB exams and taught multiple students who have done exceptionally well in their own AMEB exams. Having been nominated for Encore for his performances during HSC, Jayden is also able to help guide students on how to do exceptionally well in school performances. Due to his exceptional grasp of musical performance, Jayden achieved early acceptance to attend the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he was studying for a Bachelor of Music (Performance) before switching to pursue his true passion in the Bachelor of Music (Education) course of study. Jayden has attained LMusA on Piano, AMusA on Clarinet, and 8th grade on the Saxophone, which stands as major achievements in any musician's career in Australia.
Viola & Violin
James Robert (PGDipMus, BMus, LTCL, ATCL) is an Australian violinist, author and strings educator specialising in the progressive development of young violinists. He teaches violin, chamber music, and takes classes in audition training and orchestral excerpts. His work has been recognised internationally, and with invitations, he has held faculty positions in Singapore, Bangkok and Sydney. He is the founder of the Robert School Method of Violin Teaching, which delivers a unique approach to violin learning. James' teaching style focuses on building a robust musical foundation and developing concepts of artistic choice alongside a detailed exploration of technique. James has also enjoyed an international career as an orchestral musician, with performances across China, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and the United States. He has worked as a violinist in the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, the Australian International Opera Company, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Opera and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra. James studied with Katie Lansdale at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee in Boston, and Professor Zhu Wen at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. He also spent two years teaching in Singapore under the guidance of renowned teacher and virtuoso Min Lee and Yova Milanova. James is currently teaching at St Andrew's Cathedral School, Ascham School and Sydney Boy's High School. He has been teaching for more than 12 years and many of his students have won violin competitions including the 15th International Arthur Grumiaux Violin Competition (2023), the Leonid Kogan International Competition for Young Violinists (2022), Singapore National Violin & Piano Competition (2021) and the Australian International Music Competition (2019). His students have also received music scholarships to outstanding schools including the Conservatorium High School, Sydney Grammar School, St Andrew's Cathedral School, Newtown High School of Performing Arts, Raffles Institution and School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA). In 2024, James is scheduled to serve as a presenter at the 36th World Conference of the International Society of Music Education in Helsinki (July), and the ABRSM Exams Workshop in Sydney (September). He will also perform as part of the Arts Council Conference Concert in Singapore (April), and lead the Robert School of Music's Young Artist Programme in Haymarket, which will showcase a season of 4 concerts throughout the year.
Piano, Viola & Violin
Daniella has over 11 years of experience on the violin, accomplishing awards whilst competing in Sydney and Penrith eisteddfods during her younger years. She has performed at Council events and festivals as well as being a former member of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra (Youth Symphony) under Dr Brian Koo for 5 years. She is also highly skilled at the viola as she was the vice principal violist during her years in the orchestra. With over 7 years playing the instrument, Daniella has aspirations to continue majoring in the viola during university as well as preparing for her upcoming AMus AMEB examination. During her spare time, Daniella composes pieces for strings, piano, orchestra, electronic music and contemporary ensembles as she develops her portfolio for university the following year.
Piano & Singing
Sinclair wholly believes in the valuable role music plays in the cognitive development and creative expression of all individuals from all walks of life. He strives to teach in an engaging, fun and interpersonal way with every student, while at the same time building a strong foundation in musicianship, technical facility and performance repertoire. Sinclair has been studying music for 18 years and teaching for more than six. In addition to AMEB certificates in piano, voice and theory theory, he holds a Bachelor of Music from the Australian Institute of Music. He is a pre-service high school music teacher in his final year of his Master of Teaching at the Australian Catholic University. Sinclair is well-connected with many school communities in the Hills district and has taught music at several schools in multiple capacities, including privately, in small groups, and in ensemble and choir. Many of his students have received high distinctions on practical exams, first placings in eisteddfods, nominations for HSC Encore, and successful admissions to music colleges. He regularly engages in professional development and aside from his teaching, Sinclair regularly plays live music in bars and clubs, corporate events and functions as both a solo musician and in bands.
Cello, Harp, Piano & Singing
Simone's love of music began at the young age of 5, playing piano with her grandmother - leading to eventually winning first prize in a local competition at age 8. She is an experienced piano and harp tutor and performer with a broad background across the public school system, music academies and private tuition. Simone has performed at weddings and private functions around NSW for several years, and taught with One Smart Piano and Public Schools. Her 4th grade in AMEB theory, and 8th grade Con Brio in piano are complete, and she received a high distinction in compositional writing at Western Sydney University - where she has undertaken four years of a Bachelor of Music degree. Simone loves to empower students to develop their music practice and theory, and takes great joy in helping them establish a lifelong appreciation.
Piano & Violin
Mikaela is a proficient violinist with over 8 years of experience in playing and performance. Having shown great passion and interest for classical music at the age of 9, she began her violin studies in Saudi Arabia with Ms Rasha Masalhi, and later continued her studies in Sydney with Ms Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich and Mr Jihad Akl. Mikaela is a former member of SYO (Sydney Youth Orchestra) and is currently involved with the PYO orchestra (Penrith Youth Orchestra) under the baton of Dr Paul Terracini. She has performed in numerous performances and continues to do so whilst completing the higher grade in music. Currently, Mikaela is preparing for her Grade 8 AMEB exam whilst also strengthening her skills on the piano during her spare time. Through her musical passion and teaching, Mikaela hopes to inspire students to reach their full potential.
Clarinet
Kosta is a full time clarinetist and Section Leader in the Royal Australian Navy Band, leading his section since February 2018. In his younger years he was awarded a full tuition music scholarship at Christian College, Geelong and has performed in various ensembles Including the Australian Youth Orchestra. Throughout the years Kosta has held Principal positions in ensembles such as the Geelong Concert Band, Monash University Wind Symphony, Monash Academy Symphony Orchestra and Royal Melbourne Philharmoic Orchestra. Currently he is a reservist for Orchestra Victoria and Principle clarinetist of the Royal Australian Navy Band in Melbourne holding the position of Clarinet Section Leader. Kosta has been a Finalist in the Australian Classical Music Competition 2012 also having won the South Street Woodwind Soloist (Under 18) in 2012, and performing in Top Class 2013. In 2015 he was a finalist in the Clasax Buffet Crampon Clarinet Competition celebrating 200 years, and returned to win the Competition in 2017. During that same year, Kosta won the Margaret Sutherland bursary Competition. Kosta has been an educator for over 10 years now; conducting, teaching private lessons and also giving masterclasses and running section workshops at various schools and universities.
Cello
Chi started learning cello at the age of 6 years old. She went to high school at the Ho Chi Minh Conservatoire of Music, studying cello performance from 1981 to 1989 and then completed 3 years of study of music teaching at Ho Chi Minh City pedagogy college. Chi has 10 years of experience working with ensembles at commercial venues such as high end wine bars, restaurants and hotels while living in Ho Chi Minh City from 1987 to 1997, before moving to Sydney in 2001. Since living in Sydney, Chi has taken cello lessons with cellist Anatoli Torjinski and has worked with strings trio's providing music for weddings and ceremonies. Since 2008, Chi has been focusing her energy on tutoring cello lessons. She uses AMEB and Suzuki programs or a combination of both programs to teach.
Clarinet, Flute & Saxophone
Kenny is a seasoned performer and teacher, specialising in the woodwind family of instruments including saxophone, clarinet, flute (and even the harmonica !). Kenny’s love for music has encouraged him to increase his studies into Latin, Brazilian and African percussion and he now enjoys routinely playing the beautiful sounds of the congas, bongo and various hand percussion instruments, including the Brazilian Pandeiro, usually playing them in professional ensembles. Kenny has been a member of the RANB (Royal Australian Navy Band) and performed throughout Australia and overseas in public and official events at various prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall and ABC Studios, and he is currently a musician with the Ambulance Band of New South Wales, Concert Band, Big Band and Saxophone Quartet. Throughout his career, Kenny has supported and played alongside many amazing artists including Carl Riseley, John Morrison, Kamahl, Venetta Fields, Dawn Dixon, Peter Wells, Cam McAllister, Julie Wisniewski, the Swing Era Big Band, Carl Riseley Big Band and many more. Kenny attributes his love of music and his proficiency to his amazing teachers and mentors who include Tony Buchanan, Barry Rogers, Col Loughnan, Vince Genova, Nick Negerovich and Jess Ciampa. Kenny believes that his teachers were always and still are inspiring to such a world class level, offering the best advice and musical sense to the basics of what makes a great performance. They all emphasised the prime importance of achieving a great tone, playing in tune and playing in time at a world class level, always encouraging the path to great playing. Kenny believes it is now his turn to inspire a new generation of young musicians, utilising the knowledge from his teachers, who he considers masters of their craft.
Piano
Phil is a talented pianist and musical composer who is well versed in music theory and complex musical techniques and is passionate about Jazz harmony and piano improvisation. Phil has published a number of his own musical works that are available on popular streaming services. For his High School Certificate, Phil composed a piece for 5 pianos and performed a variety of piano performances for the Music II course and for the Music Extension course and completed a musicology essay on the Potential for Microtonality in Popular Music. Phil is studying a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, completing the Digital Music and Media program.
Piano & Violin
Elena’s musical journey began with the violin at 7 years old. With over 9 years experience in studying and performing the violin with Mr Yan Zhang in Sydney, she has been able to develop and nurture her passion for classical music. Elena achieved her Certificate of Performance for the violin in 2021, and is currently working towards her AmusA Diploma. She studied Music 2 for the HSC, where she received an ENCORE nomination for her performance. Elena also has 5 years experience performing in an orchestral setting with the Sydney Youth Orchestra programme. Elena is also a highly skilled pianist with over 8 years experience, completing her AmusA Diploma with IMEB in 2022. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Music (Music Education) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, majoring in Classical Violin Performance. Through her role as a music teacher, Elena hopes to sustain the art for future generations by inspiring her students to develop their own passion for music whilst strengthening their technical abilities.
Drums
Originally from Brisbane, Peter started professional performance/touring nationally and tutoring while still in high school. He was also a member of the QLD Youth Symphony Orchestra for 6 years and a recipient of a state government music scholarship. During his time studying at the QLD Conservatorium of Music (Bach. Of Mus.), Peter performed with the QLD Philharmonic Orchestra and the QLD Pops Orchestra (as featured soloist on one occasion). He also performed in several theatre and opera productions as well as working as a session drummer backing artists, shows and band gigs (jazz, rock and roll etc.). Peter also had the opportunity to do several international tours to Scandinavia and the UK plus two Royal Performances (London). Peter was also a part time tutor at the QLD Conservatorium School of Music. On completing his time at University, Peter picked up a position as the show band drummer on a cruise ship. This led to him working on several other cruise lines for 3 years based out of countries like Australia, England, Canada, The USA and The Caribbean. Peter has now been based in Sydney for over 25 years. He has been teaching consistently over this period to all levels and ages (kindergarten to adult) at schools, colleges, music schools and in private studios. In respect to performing he has played and recorded many different genres of music with many different artists/entertainers/bands and orchestras as drummer and/or percussionist. He has been hired as Music Director for many artists/shows as well. Peter’s schedule currently sees him performing throughout Sydney, the State and Interstate with the occasional international or cruise ship engagement.
Drums, Guitar & Ukelele
Simon has been teaching and playing professionally in Sydney since 1990 and has had students that have gone onto tertiary study, and to join local and International touring acts including Lauren Benson (John Butler) and Scott Baldwin (the Rubens - JJJ Hottest 100 Winner 2015). Simon has won two Australian Club Entertainment Awards for Best Covers Band in Australia 2017 & 2018 as well as two “Mo” awards. Simon has a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies, Diploma of Audio Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in Education. Simon has Recorded 15 albums in a variety of different styles from Jazz to Fusion along with countless live shows on the Sydney Music scene and has played everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to Government House and at just about every Music Venue in Sydney. Simon is very happy and honoured to be a part of the wonderful teaching team at Carlingford School of Music.
Piano & Trumpet
Apart from being fluent in both Mandarin and Dutch, Chelsea is a spirited musician whose love for music began thriving at a young age. Her passion for music grew from her frequent visits to orchestral concerts, which inspired her to undertake the trumpet at the age of 9. With the trumpet, Chelsea was part of the Concert Band from years 3-6, as well as the Performance Band in years 5-6, and began to learn the piano in her later years of primary school, initially teaching it to herself. Once in High School, Chelsea took professional lessons and focused on her AMEB exams in the subjects of Piano Repertoire and Theory of Music in which she quickly attained her Grade 8 certificate. Along the way, she became a confident performer, participating in student concerts such as the 'Dolce School of Music Annual Student Concert'. In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys learning new instruments as well as enhancing her compositional skills where she applies these to her degrees of Music (composition) and Advanced Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Chelsea aspires to share her love for music with others and hopes to encourage others to develop a great appreciation for music.
Clarinet & Guitar
Michael is a guitar and clarinet teacher who loves all styles of music, from jazz to hard rock. He started classical training on the clarinet at age 7, and has loved music ever since. Michael began playing the guitar at the age of 14, and soon joined a rock band to expand his knowledge. The band won many competitions such as their high school battle of the bands, and the youth week Lane Cove battle of the bands. This granted them an opportunity to record their original songs, and play at many other community events. After discovering jazz guitar, Michael was fascinated by the extensive use of harmony, and was eager to learn more. Now, he frequently gets together with other musicians to explore jazz standards. Michael's hope is that he can inspire his students to enjoy learning the subtleties of music as much as he does.
Drums
Ethan is a drum teacher with an appreciation for music of an extremely wide variety with a particular passion for songwriting and performance. Ethan began learning drums while living overseas at the age of 9, and honed his craft for the next 7 years before he formed a band with his friends, exploring their newfound love for sharing music with other people and working together to create entertaining performances. Ethan’s band won their high school battle of the bands as well as the youth week battle of the bands in Lane Cove, then proceeded to perform with other young bands at the St Ives youth week showcase. They also worked to record their songs and play at various other community events. Ethan is looking forward to a career in music education where he can provide students with a chance to get up on stage and showcase their talents, making unforgettable memories along the way.
Trombone & Trumpet
Thomas is an accomplished brass musician, specialising in trumpet and trombone, with years of experience as a dedicated teacher. He began playing in primary school and continued to pursue music as he advanced through the Conservatorium High School. During this time he completed AMEB grades up to 8th grade as well as HSC Music 2 and Music Extension. Furthering his education at the Conservatorium of Music, he developed a deep appreciation for jazz and honed his skills in improvisation. Thomas has been teaching trumpet and trombone for many years. His teaching style emphasises technical proficiency, musicality, and a deep understanding of the instrument. Thomas has had experience in music teaching and learning support roles in both high schools and primary schools, and is currently studying to become a high school mathematics teacher. In addition to teaching, Thomas has been in several jazz ensembles including Judy Bailey's Jazz Connection, performing at events such as the Manly Jazz Festival and in various jazz venues across Sydney.
Piano
Kevin is a passionate music student, fluent in both English and Chinese. He embarked on his musical journey at the age of five when he started learning the piano. His dedication and hard work paid off as he completed the AMEB 8th grade piano examination and now sets his sights on achieving the AMEB AMus level. Kevin's musical talents extend beyond the piano. He spent four years playing the saxophone in his school band and is currently studying cello. His pursuit of a comprehensive music education led him to enrol in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he is studying a Bachelor of Music (Music Education). In 2022, Kevin completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC) with an impressive ATAR of 99.8. His musical abilities during the HSC earned him nominations for Encore in both music performance and composition, showcasing his exceptional talent. With a strong passion for music and a commitment to his craft, Kevin is on a remarkable journey to make a lasting impact in the field of music education and performance.
Clarinet, Piano & Saxophone
Jeremy has been playing the piano since the age of 7, having been part of a musical family. He is fluent in both English and Cantonese and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music (Performance) in Saxophone at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Jeremy has a Certificate of Performance for Saxophone, has achieved 8th Grade in AMEB piano and is currently working towards an AMusA in both. Jeremy hopes to nurture and inspire future lifelong performers and music lovers.
Cello, Piano, Singing & Violin
Esther has been teaching for more than 15 years and holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Performance, from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She specialises in teaching AMEB syllabuses, the Suzuki method and music theory of all levels including Tertiary/Uni Harmony & Analysis and musicianship.